Ensuring the Quality of America's Food Supply Will Be the Key Focus of the 2009 Food Safety Summit

DEERFIELD, IL--(Marketwire - February 26, 2009) - With the outbreak of salmonella linked to peanut products and the subsequent closing of the Peanut Corporation of America's factory, there are pressing issues facing the food industry that will be addressed at the Food Safety Summit. Leading retailers (Wal-Mart, Costco, Kroger), food processors (Pepsi, Kraft, Campbell's) and foodservice companies (YUM! Brands/Taco Bell, Darden, Applebee's) will provide real world insight and solutions. The Food Safety Summit takes place April 27 - 29 at the Washington DC Convention Center.

"There have been many food safety issues in the news recently. Now is the time for those in the industry responsible for steps food takes from the farm to the fork to ensure the quality and safety of the nation's food supply," said Scott Wolters, Director for the Food Safety Summit. The following is a preview of five headline centric sessions being offered.

--  Industry professionals from Earthbound Farms; US Foodservice; Food
    Marketing Institute (FMI); Sodexo; and Bush Brothers & Company will offer
    their perspectives on "Food Safety Challenges and Solutions Throughout the
    Supply Chain."
    
--  Lawyers, food safety professionals and global managing directors will
    present "The Three Pillars of a Successful Liability Program: Preparation,
    Response and Resolution."  This session is for anyone concerned with
    corporate liability issues, to gain the proper knowledge on how to develop
    a successful food liability program.
    
--  Executives from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), General
    Mills, Food Safety and Inspection of New York State, Center for Disease
    Control and Prevention, and Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) will
    offer their insights in "The Challenges of Foodborne Outbreaks and
    Recalls."
    
--  "Food Safety Solutions for Foodservice Operators" brings together
    insiders to address a broad array of problem-solutions from organizational
    commitment to best practices. Speakers include executives from Sodexo; YUM!
    Brands/Taco Bell; Costco; Darden Restaurants; and DineEquity, Inc.
    
--  Cargill, Inc. will present "Third Party Auditing and Certification:
    What You Need to Know."  Quality assurance professionals are working
    together to build a coalition to harmonize food safety audit standards
    providing a common framework that includes a look at the Codex guidance
    principles.
    

The Food Safety Summit is owned, produced and managed by BNP Media. For information call 847-405-4000 or visit www.foodsafetysummit.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Amy Riemer 978-475-4441